May 17, 2010

PSC Wins Temporary Restraining Order, Stopping Furloughs At Least Until May 26
On Wednesday, US District Judge Lawrence Kahn issued a temporary restraining order to stop New York State from furloughing state workers, including CUNY faculty and staff, at least until May 26, when a hearing will be held. On May 26 in Albany, Judge Kahn will hear arguments for a preliminary injunction against the furlough legislation.

The PSC and three other unions (UUP, PEF, and CSEA), filed motions arguing that the furloughs violated the New York State and US Constitutions. “The members of all four unions achieved a victory today against the scapegoating of public employees and the undermining of the people we serve,” PSC President Barbara Bowen said. “I hope the governor and the legislature will stop playing with people’s lives and get down to business. The way to solve the budget problem is to accept the proposals for new revenue—closing corporate loopholes and restoring a fair tax system.”
More coverage, including Bowen’s appearance on WNBC and photos of last week’s rally, are on the PSC website.

Chapter Election Results
On Wednesday, May 12, the PSC Elections Committee certified the results of the Spring 2010 chapter elections. At eleven campuses, slates or candidates ran uncontested. There were three contested elections: the HEO chapter, Medgar Evers College and Kingsborough Community College. Full results are here.

Goldstein’s pay increases disproportionate with faculty increases, according to New York Times
On Friday, The New York Times ran a story on Chancellor Goldstein’s pay increases. What was left out was that while his salary has nearly doubled, CUNY faculty and professional staff salaries have risen by 45%, including both contractual increases and average step increases, between 2000 and 2010.

Rally with RF Workers Next Monday, 5/24, Now in the Afternoon
In a final push before the semester ends, PSC members at the NYC Tech, LaGuardia and Graduate Center Research Foundations need your support in their fight for a first contract. RF-CUNY demands that workers immediately increase the contribution to their health insurance premium from 11% to 19% while offering them salary increases of only 1.5%. Help us send the message that RF workers deserve a fair contract now! Click here to sign the petition to the RF Board of Directors and join us at our rally for a fair contract at the next RF Board of Directors meeting, Monday, 5/24. The time has changed—the new time is 2:00 to 3:00 pm. For more information, contact PSC Organizing Coordinator Alisa Simmons at 212-354-1252 or asimmons@pscmail.org.

PSC Green Team Hosts Kenneth Gould on 5/19
On Wednesday, 5/19, the Green Team, a project of the PSC’s Environmental Health and Safety Watchdogs committee, will host speaker Kenneth Gould, chair of the Sociology department at Brooklyn College. Gould will discuss how unions can play a role in the movements for sustainability and environmental justice. At 5:30 in the PSC Union Hall, 61 Broadway, 16th Floor.